Overview
Cooling and climate-control equipment is among the most tightly regulated product groups in Saudi Arabia — unsurprisingly, given the climate. Air conditioners and most refrigeration appliances are assessed both for electrical safety and, critically, for energy efficiency, because they draw large amounts of power over long operating hours.
HVAC and air-conditioning equipment falls under the SABER conformity scheme. A Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) is required for the product, and a Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC) is required for each consignment before it can clear Saudi customs. For most air conditioners and refrigerators, a valid SASO Energy Efficiency Label is a precondition of the PCoC. For standalone ventilation fans, see our dedicated fans page.
Product Types
The SABER and energy-efficiency route applies across cooling and climate-control equipment, including:
- Split air conditioners (wall-mounted, cassette, ducted and floor-standing)
- Window and packaged air conditioners
- Portable and rooftop package units
- Chillers (air-cooled and water-cooled) and VRF/VRV systems
- Refrigeration units, cold-room and commercial refrigeration equipment
- Air handling units (AHU), fan-coil units (FCU) and ventilation systems
- Evaporative (desert) air coolers and dehumidifiers
The exact scope of your certificate is defined from the equipment type, cooling capacity and refrigerant. We structure the certificate so the units you actually export are covered.
HS Codes
HVAC and air-conditioning equipment is commonly classified under the headings below. These are examples only — the correct code depends on the exact equipment.
- 8415.10 — Window or wall type air conditioning machines, self-contained or split-system
- 8415.81 / 8415.82 / 8415.83 — Other air conditioning machines (with/without refrigerating unit)
- 8418.61 / 8418.69 — Heat pumps, chillers and other refrigerating or freezing equipment
- 8415.90 — Parts of air conditioning machines (indoor/outdoor units)
Applicable Saudi Requirements
HVAC and air conditioners are certified through SABER registration on the Saudi platform. The main requirements are:
- A valid SASO Energy Efficiency Label for the model (for air conditioners and most refrigeration appliances)
- A valid PCoC issued against the applicable Technical Regulation and standards
- An SCoC for each individual shipment before customs clearance
- Test evidence for electrical safety and rated cooling performance / energy efficiency (EER / SEER)
- Compliance with permitted refrigerant requirements and correct rating markings
- A registered Saudi importer on the SABER platform to link the shipment
Technical Regulation
Cooling equipment is assessed under the Saudi Technical Regulation for low-voltage electrical equipment and appliances (electrical safety) together with the energy-efficiency regulations for air conditioners and refrigeration. The exact regulation and standard set is confirmed at assessment from the equipment type and HS code. Our Technical Regulations guide explains how regulations are matched to products.
Testing / Standards
Air conditioners and HVAC equipment are typically evaluated against the applicable IEC safety standard and the SASO energy-efficiency standards. Typical verification includes:
- IEC 60335-1 and IEC 60335-2-40 — safety of household and similar electrical appliances, heat pumps, air conditioners and dehumidifiers
- Rated cooling/heating capacity and energy-efficiency performance (EER, SEER, COP) to the applicable SASO standard
- Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) compliance and energy-label banding
- Permitted refrigerant type and safe-handling requirements
- EMC testing for units with electronic controls and inverter drives
Existing IECEE CB reports and recognised performance test reports may be accepted where they cover the correct model and standard and are within validity. We review your reports before arranging any new product testing, so you only test what is genuinely missing.
Documents Required
A typical HVAC / air conditioner application uses the set below; our full documents required guide explains each item.
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- HS code of the equipment
- Technical datasheet showing cooling capacity, power input, EER/SEER and refrigerant
- Electrical safety test report (IEC 60335 series)
- Energy-efficiency performance test report for the SASO Energy Efficiency Label
- Product photographs showing the rating plate and energy label
- Manufacturer details and Declaration of Conformity where relevant
- Saudi importer registration details
PCoC Process
The Product Certificate of Conformity certifies the model or range against the applicable regulation. For cooling equipment it runs alongside the energy-label registration. In outline:
- Classification and scope
We confirm the equipment type, HS code, capacity and refrigerant, and the applicable safety and energy-efficiency standards.
- Energy label and report review
We arrange or verify the SASO Energy Efficiency Label and check whether your safety and performance reports can be reused.
- Technical review
An approved certification body reviews the documents, markings, energy label and test evidence against the regulation.
- PCoC issued
Once the review is satisfied, the PCoC is issued on the SABER platform. It is typically valid for one year.
SCoC Process
A Shipment Certificate of Conformity is issued per consignment and is what customs checks at the border. In outline:
- Shipment details submitted
The invoice, packing list and the linked PCoC are submitted for the specific consignment.
- Verification and payment
The shipment is verified against the valid PCoC and the SCoC fee is settled on the platform.
- SCoC issued
The SCoC is issued for that shipment, allowing it to clear Saudi customs. Each new shipment needs its own SCoC.
Certification Timeline
The main variables are the energy-efficiency label and whether valid test reports already exist. Our SABER timeline guide covers this in detail.
- With a valid energy label and acceptable reports — a PCoC can typically be arranged within a few working days
- When energy-efficiency or safety testing is required — laboratory turnaround for performance testing is the main driver, usually a few weeks
- SCoC — normally issued quickly per shipment once a valid PCoC and energy label are in place
Common Problems
- Shipping before the SASO Energy Efficiency Label is registered — the most frequent cause of held AC shipments
- Declared EER/SEER on the label not matching the performance test report
- Refrigerant type not permitted, or not matching the rating plate and datasheet
- Safety report covering a different model or capacity than the units shipped
- HS code on the invoice not matching the equipment actually shipped
We check these points up front so shipments are not held at customs for avoidable reasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do air conditioners need a SASO Energy Efficiency Label as well as SABER?
Yes. Most air conditioners and refrigeration appliances require a valid SASO Energy Efficiency Label, and the PCoC for the product is generally not issued without it. The energy label and the SABER certificate are separate registrations but are linked — we coordinate both together.
Which refrigerants are accepted?
Saudi Arabia permits specific refrigerants and is phasing down high-GWP types. The refrigerant on the rating plate must match the datasheet and be an accepted type for the equipment class. We confirm refrigerant acceptability as part of the assessment so a unit is not rejected at review.
Can one PCoC cover a range of AC models?
A PCoC can often cover a range of related models from the same manufacturer, but each distinct capacity/efficiency variant generally needs its own energy label. We structure the certificate and labels so the models you actually export are covered.
How much does SABER certification for air conditioners cost and how long does it take?
It depends mainly on whether a valid energy label and acceptable test reports already exist. When they do, a PCoC can often be arranged within a few working days; if energy-efficiency or safety testing is required, laboratory turnaround is the main variable. Send your model details and reports for a specific quote and timeline at no cost. See our SABER certificate cost guide.
How long is the PCoC valid, and do I need a new SCoC for every shipment?
A Product Certificate of Conformity is typically valid for one year, so one PCoC can cover multiple shipments of the same units during that period. A Shipment Certificate of Conformity is issued per consignment — every individual shipment needs its own SCoC before it can clear Saudi customs.
Which products and HS codes does this cover?
The same route applies across split, window and packaged air conditioners, chillers, VRF systems and refrigeration equipment — generally classified under HS heading 8415 (air conditioning machines) and 8418 (refrigerating equipment). We confirm the correct classification for your exact equipment during assessment.
Get Your HVAC & Air Conditioners Certified
Send us your equipment type, cooling capacity, refrigerant, EER/SEER, HS code and any existing test reports or energy labels. We will confirm the applicable Technical Regulation and energy-efficiency requirements, review your testing, and coordinate the energy label, PCoC and each SCoC so your shipments clear Saudi customs without delay.